Backdrop preview The Idlers of the Fertile Valley backdrop
The Idlers of the Fertile Valley

The Idlers of the Fertile Valley (1978)

Oct 01, 1978 1h 58m Drama

In this black comedy, the men in a lovely mansion slowly give in to a kind of terminal sloth after they are freed from the need to actually work. The father takes to his bed after his hernia acts up and never leaves it. Of his three sons, only one wants to do much about leaving, and he does in fact cross the front threshold of the house with his lover, who is also the maid. However, before he has gotten very far, he is very tired, and goes to sleep where he stands. One of the sons outdoes them all by sleeping literally all the time. He is not in a coma -- he is just very, very lazy and tired. Some critics have viewed this film as a sharply delineated social satire.

Directed by Nikos Panayotopoulos

Cast

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Olga Karlatos
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Olga Karlatos

as Sofia

George Dialegmenos
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George Dialegmenos

as Sakis

Dimitris Poulikakos
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Dimitris Poulikakos

as Nikos

Nikitas Tsakiroglou
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Nikitas Tsakiroglou

as Giannis

Vasilis Diamantopoulos
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Vasilis Diamantopoulos

as Father

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Kostas Sfikas

as

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Ivi Mavridi

as

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Thanassis Koniaris

as

Crew

Director
  • Nikos Panayotopoulos

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, The Idlers of the Fertile Valley examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Nikos Panayotopoulos brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1978, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The Idlers of the Fertile Valley took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 118 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 155 minutes long.
  • The musical score contains over 40 unique compositions.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.

Historical Context

  • In 1978, when this film was released:
  • Disco music dominated popular culture.
  • Economic recession and oil crises were affecting global economies.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: October 1, 1978
  • Runtime: 1h 58m

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